My Wishlist

Conjure

Herd Of Instinct draws from a vast array of influences-multi-cultural music, literary clues, horror and cinematic film scores, obscure elements of rock, avant-garde, electronic, prog, and psychedelic music-to create a style that is uniquely their own.

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

Released by Djam Karet's label Firepool Records, Conjure builds on the success of their first album. With guest musicians including Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Joel Adair (Legacy Brass Quintet) and looping samples by Steve Tibbetts, combined with their impeccable production, deep compositions, and impressive performances, Conjure is a real treat for fans of King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Mick Karn.

Conjure is a finely-crafted, landmark release. In order to create a more dynamic and lively sound, no compression or limiting was used on this recording. This sophomore effort features polyrhythmic Warr guitar and powerful drumming, classic keyboards by Gayle Ellett (Djam Karet). and beautiful guitar solos and textures. Songs such as Praxis brim with intense, fiery energy. The beautiful and calming Alice Krige pt.1 has dreamy flute and jazzy trumpet melodies, whereas Solitude One, with its Indian dilruba lines, has a more dance vibe. The album closes with the psychedelic lullaby, The Secret Of Fire, which completes this diverse yet coherent journey.

On Conjure the focus is very much on composition, arrangements and orchestration. Their music is not just a set-up for showy solos. Instead, they create music that is full of great ensemble playing and group dynamics. Herd Of Instinct has a clear vision of what they are trying to do. And, fortunately for us, on Conjure their goals are fully realized.

All tracks composed, arranged, and produced by Herd of InstinctMixed by Mark CookTrack 5 composed by Lisa Lazo - mix translation by HOIRecorded in Arlington, TX., Topanga, CA., and Colin Edwin recorded @ Nightspace, UKMastered by Gayle Ellett and Wayne YentisArt Layout by Mark Cook

Percussion samples from the Steve Tibbetts "Friendly Fire" sample library were used on tracks 8 and 11

Jason thanks: Dharma Spradlin

Gayle would like to thank: Dave Streett for making all of this possible, Wayne Yentis, Chuck Oken jr and everyone in Djam Karet, Rita, Ben & Aria Ellett, and the members of HOI for asking me to join their great group.

"This Texan group defy classification very well, blending more melodic moments of industrial metal with forbidding electro-acoustic compositions. It's definitely progressive music, with plenty of layered guitar arpeggios in places, but there are also flutes and all manner of other instruments in the mix." SOUND ON SOUND

"Herd of Instinct is one of those rare debut albums that are practically perfect in every respect, and need no suggestions for further improvement. An absolute must for fans of King Crimson, it will delight devotees of complex, hard-edged yet atmospheric prog, and those who are somewhat weary of technically competent bands that are sorely lacking in the originality department. A serious contender for best release of 2011." PROG-SPHERE

"From start to finish this album is a wild ride on a rollercoaster of musical bliss, especially for listeners who like a bit of a challenge and even a puzzle. At times the music is reminiscent of 80s King Crimson, at times of 70s Crimson, then again of Djam Karet, the next moment they're playing metal, then psychedelic rock, jazz, Eastern music, ambient music. You can tell this album is incredibly tight and well constructed, but there's ample breathing space in between as well. The guys let the music breathe and give it a chance to take on a very dense and dark atmosphere at times. So, on one hand you have an album that's full of amazing developments and on the other an album that's full of intense build-ups and stirring atmospheres. This is definitely one to relish!" THE ROCKTOLOGIST

"Intriguing and interesting are words that quickly spring to mind when listening to "Herd of Instinct's" eponymous album that has been four years in the making. The album features diversity in its compositional approach which is always a good sign, making it an album that you would re listen to on a regular basis. The album takes a King Crimson / Gordian Knot approach, being laced and layered with stunning guitar passages, copious amounts of warr guitar, a very provocative album. The whole soundstage is stunning as are the striking visual graphics. A real winner all round really." SEA OF TRANQUILITY

"The strength of Herd Of Instinct lies in the built up group energy, which combines a lot of talents and visions with instrumentals of structural and a naturally built up architectural power. The first tracks build up more like symphonic progressive metal, then the complexity increases with improvised tension, and with interesting rhythmic changes and divisions. On the third track, "Road to Asheville" the mood suddenly changes to a more ethnic moody, atmospheric piece in the direction of some late Djam Karet, with flute, tablas and keyboard moods before returning to the heavier guitar and drums." PSYCHMUSIC

"Musically, the best point of reference is probably 90's Crimson, but there are also influences from the more modern, aggressive prog-metal sound and the indie sounds like the alt-metal of Tool, and even some brief flirtations with ambient music. But all these comparisons only get you into the ballpark. Herd of Instinct is all instrumental and has its own unique sound. This album is a gem, and it's a small wonder that Gayle Ellett chose it to be the first non-Djam Karet-related album on the Firepool label. Seek it out a definite keeper!" GIBRALTAR